Portable magnetic toy construction kit

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the present invention provides portable magnetic toy construction system having a base plate upon which to build magnetic toy constructions, the base plate configured to accept and hold in position ferromagnetic or magnetic base elements, such as ferromagnetic balls. The base plate comprises at least one flexible membrane that stretches around a base element and holds the base element in position. The membrane exerts a force that holds the base element in position resisting lateral movement, although the elasticity of the flexible membrane still allows a user to manipulate the base element through the membrane to move the base element laterally. In one configuration, the base plate forms part of a travel case that can additionally include compartments to store magnetic building components. Further embodiments provide a magnetic toy construction, and a method for building the construction, that incorporate the base plate.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/970,155, filed Sep. 5, 2007, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to toy construction kits andmore particularly to a portable magnetic toy construction kit having abase plate with a flexible membrane holding in place ferromagnetic ormagnetic base elements, over which a magnetic assembly can be built.

2. Background of the Invention

A major challenge in working with construction toy assemblies is theability to build complex and large structures that maintain sufficientstability. Many different types of construction systems are known,including loose wooden blocks, mechanically fastened systems such asMEGA BLOKS™, and magnetic construction kits that are held together atleast in part by magnetic force.

Although magnetic construction assemblies can be built on any surface,using a ferromagnetic surface (e.g., metal plate) as a substrate onwhich to place magnetic building components can add to the stability ofthe construction. FIG. 1 a depicts a structure comprising ferromagneticballs and magnetic rods built on a flat substrate. As shown, a flatplate 2 is used to support upright magnetic rods 4, which in turnsupport and magnetically bond to ferromagnetic balls 8. A horizontalmagnetic rod 6 representing a roof, for example, magnetically bonds tothe ferromagnetic spheres 8. The rods can be, for example, plasticcylinders that house at each end a magnet having an exposed or unexposedplanar surface.

If plate 2 is a non-magnetic material, plate 2 merely acts as a flatsupport structure on which the magnetic components can be assembled.Such an assembly may remain together as long as the plate 2 is not movedor the individual components of the magnetic structure are not jostled.If plate 2 is a magnetic body, rods 4 can additionally be attracted tothe plate, increasing the stability of the structure. However, althoughthe rods may be magnetically attracted to the plate, it may still bepossible for the rods to slide in a horizontal direction with respect tothe plate if jostled, or if the plate is moved.

FIG. 1 b illustrates an enlarged view of an interface between a magneticrod 4 and a plate 2. As illustrated, magnetic rod 4 contains aninsulating body 4 a, such as plastic, and a magnet 4 b. Magnet 4 b canhave a flat outer surface 4 c that is recessed from the outer end of theplastic body. Because of this configuration, magnet 4 b may not be indirect contact with plate 2 and the magnetic force coupling rod 4 toplate 2 is thereby weaker than in the case of direct contact. For thisadditional reason, a structure built on a rod 4 may not be anchoredstrongly enough to plate 2 to provide a desired stability to the overallstructure. Indeed, rods 4 may slide across the horizontal surface ofplate 2, as represented by the horizontal arrowed lines shown in FIG. 1b.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel magnetic toyconstruction system that provides both increased stability for magneticconstruction assemblies as well as increased portability of suchassemblies.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a base plate having atleast one flexible membrane on top of which building components can beassembled to form a stable structure. The base plate comprises twolayers, with at least one of the layers being flexible. The base plateis configured to accept and retain one or more ferromagnetic or magneticbase elements between the two layers. Before the base elements areinserted, the two layers can contact each other or can be spaced apart.The flexible layer stretches to accept and retain the base elements. Inone embodiment, the base plate retains ferromagnetic spheres between thelayers. The bilayer structure can be configured to provide sufficientmechanical pressure on the base elements to hold the base elements inposition, resisting their lateral movement within the volume between thetwo layers.

In one configuration of the invention, the base plate comprises twoopposing flexible membranes, with the base elements retained between thetwo membranes. The flexible membranes can be mounted on a frame. Theframe can include two sub-frames, with one membrane attached to eachsub-frame. When the sub-frames are joined together, the resulting frameprovides a container to house the base elements. The sub-frames can beconfigured to attach to each other at a hinge along one side of theframe, or to completely detach from each other. In this manner, the baseplate can be opened and closed so that base elements can be added orremoved from the base plate and can be positioned at desired locationswithin the base plate.

The membranes can be configured to have sufficient flexibility andsurface friction to accommodate base elements (e.g., spherical elements)that cause local distortions in the membranes. When the base plate is ina closed position, the force exerted on the base elements by themembranes is sufficient to retain the bodies without substantial lateralmovement. The base elements contained within the base plate thereby eachserve as a stable foundation upon which further ferromagnetic ormagnetic elements can be placed (with the flexible membrane in between).

In one configuration of the present invention, the base plate comprisesat least one thin flexible membrane, wherein the position of baseelements contained therein can be conveniently manually manipulated byexerting pressure through the thin flexible membrane. However, onceexternal manual pressure is removed, the flexible membrane exerts enoughforce to retain the base elements in position, resisting any substantiallateral movement. Accordingly, a plurality of base elements, such asferromagnetic spheres, can be arranged in any desired pattern within thebase plate, which pattern is then maintained such that a stable magneticstructure can be constructed on the pattern of base elements.

In one embodiment, the base plate is sufficiently rigid such that theentire base plate, including the base elements contained therein as wellas a magnetic structure assembled thereon, can be conveniently picked upand transported. As an example, in a base plate having a frame holdingtwo flexible membranes, the frame could provide the necessary rigidity.

In one configuration of the present invention, the base plate isconfigured in a square or rectangular shape and is housed in a flexibletravel case. The travel case can contain a plurality of compartments,including compartments to house the base plate, ferromagnetic spheres,magnetic rods, and other magnetic building components.

In one particular configuration of the present invention, the base platecomprises a frame, at least one portion of which is permanently affixedwithin a travel case. The lower layer of the base plate can be affixedto or form part of a travel case and the upper layer can be removable toaccommodate insertion and removal of the base elements. For example, thelower layer could be a rigid plastic sheet affixed to the travel caseand the upper layer could be removably attached to the travel case overthe rigid plastic sheet. The travel case can also include separatecompartments to temporarily house magnetic building components, such asspheres, rods, circles, triangles, squares, and other structures. Theportable travel case therefore provides a convenient surface forassembly of a stable magnetic structure anywhere and anytime a userdesires.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a diagram showing a side view of a prior art base plate andmagnetic building system.

FIG. 1 b is a diagram showing an enlarged cross-sectional view ofmagnetic rods attached to a plate.

FIGS. 2 a-2 c are perspective views of exemplary travel case componentsarranged in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary base plateand rod, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to a base plate havinga flexible layer holding in place ferromagnetic or magnetic baseelements, over which a magnetic assembly can be built. As used herein,the term “flexible” generally refers to the ability of the layer todeform around the base elements to hold them in place in a manner that arigid surface, such as metal plate, would not. The flexible layer canalso be compressible and tacky to further envelope and hold in place thebase elements, and also resist lateral movement of the base elements,especially when the flexible layer is compressed between a base elementand a magnetic component, as explained in more detail below.

A flexible layer can be, for example, a membrane made of a thin layer ofelastic material. The layer of elastic material could be, for example, acontinuous sheet or a fine weave. The overall mechanical properties ofthe flexible layer can be such that the layer can be reversiblyelastically deformed without substantial permanent deformation, so thatthe layer returns to an initial state after the source of deformation isremoved. As an example, the flexible layer can be made of materials suchas rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, ethylene propylene dienemonomer, polypropylene, latex, vinyl, and nitrile.

FIG. 2 a shows a perspective view of a travel case system 100, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, system 100 includestravel case 102, which is depicted in an open position. FIG. 2 billustrates travel case 102 in a closed position, which can be securedshut by, for example, a zipper 103. Travel case 102 can be made of asoft material such as soft vinyl, nylon, or canvas, and can also includemore rigid outer surfaces or internal rigid inserts.

Travel case 102 also includes interior compartments 108, 112, 116, and117 that are accessible when travel case 102 is open. The interiorcompartments can have opaque covers, such as that of compartment 117, orsee-through, transparent, and/or translucent covers, such as the meshcovers of compartments 108, 112, and 116. System 100 includes variousbuilding elements 110 and 114 that are housed for storage incompartments 108, 112, and 117, and housed for play in compartment 116.Elements 110 and 114 comprise ferromagnetic spheres or balls andmagnetic rods, respectively. However, any other suitably sized magnetic,ferromagnetic, or non-magnetic building pieces can be stored in travelcase 102. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 a, compartment 116comprises a base plate having an upper flexible membrane 120 disposedover a lower substrate. Before base elements are inserted, flexiblemembrane 120 can contact the lower substrate or can be spaced apart fromthe lower substrate. The lower substrate can be, for example, a rigidsheet of plastic or another flexible membrane.

As shown in FIG. 2 a, compartment 116 retains a plurality offerromagnetic balls 110′, held in position under membrane 120 asrepresented by the dashed lines depicting balls 110′. In one embodimentof the present invention, frame 119 of compartment 116 comprises aremovable upper portion to which membrane 120 is affixed. Accordingly,building elements, such as ferromagnetic balls, can be inserted into andremoved from compartment 116. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, compartment 116 is sealed and contains a preset number ofmagnetic bodies that are not meant to be removed, but can be movedwithin compartment 116.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 a, magnetic construction assemblies 118comprising ferromagnetic balls 110 and magnetic rods 114 can beconstructed on top of underlying ferromagnetic balls 110′. Membrane 120exerts sufficient force on the surface of underlying ferromagnetic balls110′ such that the balls are held in place and do not roll or slideappreciably within compartment 116. However, because of the flexibilityand give of the membrane 120, a user can still manipulate the underlyingballs 110′ through the membrane, to move the balls 110′ to desiredlocations. After the user manually moves the balls to the desiredlocations and releases the balls, the membrane holds the balls in thedesired locations. Accordingly, the balls 110′ can be arranged in apattern that forms a foundation for building one or more structuresthereon. For example, four balls 110′ could be arranged withincompartment 116 at the corners of a rectangle, which could form thefoundation for a rectangular building to be constructed using magneticrods 114. Magnetic rods 114 could form upright members that are joinedtogether by other magnetic building structures.

In holding base elements in place, the elastic flexible membrane 120 islocally a farther distance from the lower layer in regions where thebase elements (e.g., ferromagnetic balls) are located. However, eventhough the flexible membrane 120 can be stretched in a verticaldirection (i.e., a direction above the lower layer), the elasticconstant, as well as friction of the membrane 120 are such that the baseelements contained under the membrane 120 are held in place and resistlateral movement when no external manipulation is applied. Thus,compartment 116 has the novel properties of having a flexible membrane120 that can nevertheless maintain a relatively fixed position of baseelements held underneath the membrane 120.

System 100 provides the convenience of a travel case that houses allcomponents of a magnetic building assembly, so that a magnetic structurecan be constructed anywhere a user takes the travel case 102. Forexample, the outer portions of travel case 102 can be given sufficientrigidity that travel case 102 could be opened and placed on a user's lapfor assembly of a magnetic building structure. Additionally, the novelconfiguration of compartment 116 imparts stability to magneticstructures assembled thereon because of the ability to retain withoutsubstantial lateral movement the spheres or other base element shapesthat act as a foundation upon which additional components can beconstructed. Thereby, an entire magnetic building structure can beconveniently moved in place by moving the open travel case. Travel casesystem 100 thus provides a portable magnetic building assembly systemthat can be conveniently used in any place where the travel case can beopened and placed in a horizontal position.

FIG. 2 c illustrates a base plate 104, arranged according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention. Base plate 104 comprises acompartment 124 configured with two opposing flexible membranes.Compartment 124 can include a frame that can be separated into twopieces over each of which is stretched a flexible membrane. Baseelements 105, such as ferromagnetic balls, can be inserted into andremoved from between the opposing membranes of compartment 124, asrepresented by the dashed lines depicting base elements 105. Base plate104 can be used as a standalone substrate upon which to build magneticstructures, as described above with respect to travel case 102. Baseplate 104 could also be housed in a case, such as travel case 102.

By providing two opposing flexible membranes housed in a rigid frame,base plate 104 allows a user more flexibility in manipulating baseelements contained therein. For example, a building structure comprisingferromagnetic and magnetic components can be erected on the outside ofone of the membranes of base plate 104, building off of ferromagneticballs contained within compartment 124. After assembly of the buildingstructure, the entire base plate 104 can be lifted off of a work surfaceby grasping the frame region. The ferromagnetic balls 105 can bemanipulated through the flexible membrane on the opposite side of themembrane on which the structure is built. This might be useful if itwere necessary to slightly adjust the position of the foundation of abuilding (e.g., as provided by ferromagnetic balls in between the twoflexible membranes) after the building has already been assembled.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a cross section of a base plate 140,arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Asdepicted, spheres 144 are held between two flexible membranes 142 a, 142b. Membranes 142 a, 142 b are attached to frame 146 such that in theabsence of spheres 144 (or any other element having a dimensionexceeding the distance D2 between membranes 142 a, 142 b), the membranes142 a, 142 b lie generally in respective planes A-A′ and B-B′. Asrepresented by dashed lines 147, frame 146 can be a two-part frame toallow the membranes 142 a, 142 b to be separated and brought together sothat base elements such as spheres 144 can be inserted into and removedfrom the base plate 140.

In this example, membranes 142 a, 142 b are made of the same material,therefore having the same deformation characteristics (e.g., in terms ofelasticity). Accordingly, the maximum distortion of membrane 142 a inthe Z direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 3) is about (D1−D2)/2. Asimilar distortion occurs for membrane 142 b. Preferably, the elasticproperties of membranes 142 a and 142 b are such that, when deformed asrepresented in FIG. 3, the elastic force exerted upon each of spheres144 is sufficient to hold the spheres in place without excessive lateralmovement (e.g., the spheres would stay in place if the frame 146 isshaken and would only move upon manipulation by a user). Additionally,the frictional properties of the inner surfaces of membranes 142 a and142 b can be tailored to reduce the tendency of the spheres to rotate orslide.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the diameter D1 of spheres 144 can be arranged tobe significantly greater than the separation D2 between membranes whenbase plate 140 is closed. Thus, when spheres 144 are placed betweenmembranes 142 a, 142 b and base plate 140 is closed, the membraneselastically deform around the outer portions of the spheres and conformto the contour of the spheres along a portion of a sphere surface. Adistribution of forces results in the deformed membrane including aforce normal to the plane of the base plate and forces at obliqueangles, which distribution tends to retain a sphere in place.

As illustrated, a magnetic rod component 4 can be placed directly abovea ferromagnetic sphere 144, magnetically coupled to the sphere 144 withthe membrane 142 a sandwiched in between. The radius of sphere 144 issuch that, even though magnet 4 b is recessed within the lower surfaceof rod 4, magnet 4 b can contact or nearly contact the upper surface ofsphere 144. In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness ofmembrane 142 a is substantially less than the depth of the recess R.Accordingly, membrane 142 a does not prevent sphere 144 from coming intoclose contact with magnet 4 b. For example, recess R can be on the orderof 10-50 mils, while the thickness of membrane 142 a can be on the orderof a few tenths of a mil to about 10 mils (e.g., about 0.2-10 mils).

Because membranes 142 a, 142 b are relatively thin, the membranes can bepinched between ferromagnetic spheres 144 and external magneticcomponents that are recessed, as exemplified in FIG. 3. This pinchingcan help to maintain the position of the external magnetic componentwith respect to the underlying sphere. For example, the pinched membranecan prevent a magnetic rod from sliding or rotating around aferromagnetic sphere. In addition, the pinching and tackiness of themembrane can help resist lateral movement of a sphere 144 and rod 4.

It is to be noted that the number, placement, and spacing offerromagnetic or magnetic base elements contained in base plate 140 canaffect the rigidity with which the bodies are held in place. Forexample, spheres placed near the frame may be more rigidly held thanthose placed toward the center of the base plate. This variation inclamping force allows a user the ability to configure the degree of“give” in the position of the underlying base elements, adding to theenjoyment of the construction process.

In addition, in the case of spherical ferromagnetic bodies held within abase plate, a certain degree of movement or rotation around the top ofthe spheres may occur for magnetic rods or other structures placedthereon, as represented by the arrow 170 in FIG. 3. However, because theelastic membrane may be pinched between the sphere and overlyingmagnetic component, the bottom of the overlying component may still beprevented from moving with respect to the sphere. Thus, rotation of theoverlying component may tend to cause the elastic membrane to stretchand thereby induce an extra elastic force within the membrane that tendsto restore the position of the overlying magnetic component to thepre-rotation position. Thus, the overall magnetic superstructure builton such a flexible substrate may have some “give,” while still tendingto hold together.

In one embodiment, membrane 142 a is pinched between the rod 4 and thesphere 144 such that the rod 4 is prevented from moving relative to thesphere 144, wherein upon application of a force to the rod 4 (e.g., aforce applied generally horizontal to rod 4 in FIG. 3), the rod 4 movesor rotates by virtue of the stretching membrane 142 a, while the rod 4and the sphere 144 remain magnetically coupled and positionally fixedwith respect to each other. Upon removal of the force, the membrane 142a then retracts to restore the rod 4 and sphere 144 to their initialposition.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a base plate for amagnetic assembly comprises a compartment having a first planar surfacethat is relatively rigid, and an opposing surface that is flexible. Forexample the opposing surface can be a flexible membrane, as describedabove. The rigid surface can be configured with retaining structuresdesigned to retain or hold in place the magnetic or ferromagnetic baseelements. Such structures could comprise, for example, holes, rings, orrecesses. For example, the rigid surface could have an egg cartonconfiguration with an array of recesses (e.g., cups or other shapedconcave surfaces) designed to accommodate spheres. After closing thecompartment with the spheres contained therein, a user could manipulatethe spheres through the top flexible membrane to place the spheres indesired recesses within the array. Thus, a user could arrange spheres inthe base plate at any point within a regular array, so thatconstructions built thereon have a uniform spacing of elements. Inaddition, the retention features of the rigid surface (e.g., holes,rings, or recesses) can further hold the spheres in place to provideadditional rigidity to a construction assembly.

As described above, base elements retained within a base plate can bemagnetic or ferromagnetic. Thus, although some of the embodiments shownand described herein use ferromagnetic spheres, the present invention isnot limited to such embodiments. Alternatively, the base elements couldcomprise magnetic spheres, to which ferromagnetic rods are connected. Inanother embodiment, the base elements could comprise magnetic orferromagnetic rods of a dimension suitable for occupying the volumebetween the layers of the base plate and for being retained in placewithin that volume by the flexible layer. Balls or rods could then bebuilt upon the rods retained within the volume. In yet anotherembodiment, base elements could comprise magnets shaped as, for example,cylinders, discs, or rings, and sized appropriately for the flexiblelayer to retain them in place.

An aspect of the present invention provides a method for building amagnetic toy construction using a flexible layer to retain base elementsof the construction. In an embodiment of this method, a flexible layeris first provided over a substrate. Base elements are then insertedbetween the flexible layer and the substrate such that the flexiblelayer stretches over the base elements and holds them in place. The baseelements can be inserted by squeezing them between the flexible layerand the substrate, or by first separating the flexible layer and thesubstrate, placing the base elements on the substrate, and then placingthe flexible layer over top of the base elements. The flexible layer andthe substrate can be, for example, hingedly connected on a framestructure, in which case the frame structure is opened, the baseelements are placed, and the frame structure is closed. Optionally,after placing the flexible layer over the base elements, the baseelements can be manipulated through the flexible layer to position themat desired locations. With the flexible layer stretched over the baseelements and holding the base elements in place, the method can continueby magnetically coupling further magnetic or ferromagnetic components tothe base elements, with the flexible layer in between.

The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. Thescope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims, and by theirequivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the presentinvention, the specification may have presented the method and/orprocess of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps.However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on theparticular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process shouldnot be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of thepresent invention should not be limited to the performance of theirsteps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readilyappreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A portable magnetic toy construction system comprising: a base plate comprising a first layer comprising a flexible membrane and a second layer disposed under the first layer; a base element disposed between the first layer and the second layer; and a building component magnetically coupled to the base element with the first layer in between the base element and the building component, wherein the base plate is configured to hold in position the base element between the first layer and the second layer, and wherein a dimension of the base element exceeds a distance between the first layer and the second layer such that the first layer stretches around a contour of the base element to hold the base element in position to resist lateral movement of the base element between the first layer and the second layer.
 2. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 1, wherein the first layer is configured to allow external manipulation of the base element to laterally move the base element between the first layer and the second layer.
 3. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 1, wherein the base element comprises a ferromagnetic ball.
 4. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a rigid substrate.
 5. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 1, wherein the second layer defines retaining structures that hold the base element in place.
 6. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 5, wherein the retaining structures comprise one of holes, rings, and recesses.
 7. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 5, wherein the retaining structures are uniformly spaced apart in an array.
 8. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a second flexible membrane, and wherein the second layer stretches around a second contour of the base element.
 9. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 1, wherein the building component comprises a rod having a recessed magnet.
 10. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 9, wherein the first layer is pinched between the rod and the base element such that lateral movement of the base element and the rod is restricted.
 11. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 9, wherein the first layer is pinched between the rod and the base element such that the rod is prevented from moving relative to the base element; wherein upon application of a force to the rod, the rod moves by virtue of the stretching first layer, while the rod and the base element remain magnetically coupled and positionally fixed with respect to each other, and wherein upon removal of the force, the first layer retracts to restore the rod to its initial position.
 12. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 9, wherein the rod defines a recess directly over the recessed magnet, and wherein the first layer conforms to a contour of the base element within the recess.
 13. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 12, wherein the recess is about 10-50 mils in depth and the first layer is about 0.2-10.0 mils in thickness.
 14. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 1, wherein the first layer is held on a frame and wherein the frame is removably attached to the second layer.
 15. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 8, wherein the first layer is held on a first frame, wherein the second layer is held on a second frame, and wherein the first frame is removably attached to the second frame.
 16. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 15, wherein the first frame is hingedly attached to the second frame.
 17. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 1, further comprising a travel case to which the base plate is affixed, the travel case comprising one or more compartments configured to store the base element, the building component, and other components of the toy construction system.
 18. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are sealed together and are not separable without a destructive force, and wherein the portable magnetic toy construction system further comprises a plurality of base elements disposed between the first layer and the second layer.
 19. A portable magnetic toy construction system comprising: a plurality of components including one or more ferromagnetic spheres; a travel case defining a substrate; and a flexible membrane affixed to the travel case and disposed over the substrate of the travel case, wherein a ferromagnetic sphere of the one or more ferromagnetic spheres is disposed between the substrate and the flexible membrane, wherein a dimension of the ferromagnetic sphere exceeds a distance between the first layer and second layer such that the flexible membrane conforms to a portion of a surface of the ferromagnetic sphere, thereby exerting a mechanical force upon the ferromagnetic sphere to hold the ferromagnetic sphere in position resisting lateral movement, and wherein the flexible membrane is configured to allow external manipulation of the ferromagnetic sphere to laterally move the ferromagnetic sphere between the substrate and the flexible membrane.
 20. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 19, wherein the travel case defines a plurality of compartments configured to store the plurality of components of the magnetic toy construction system.
 21. The portable magnetic toy construction system of claim 19, wherein a component of the plurality of components comprises a magnetic rod comprising an insulating portion and a recessed magnet, the rod magnetically coupling to the ferromagnetic sphere with the first layer sandwiched in between the ferromagnetic ball and the rod.
 22. A method for building a magnetic toy construction comprising: providing a flexible layer over a substrate; inserting base elements between the flexible layer and the substrate such that the flexible layer stretches over the base elements and holds them in place; manipulating the base elements through the flexible layer to position the base elements at desired locations; and magnetically coupling toy construction components to the base elements with the flexible layer in between the components and the base elements. 